a sweet little blog stroll….

it’s been a spring to remember here on ‘my’ island! cooler than i have ever remembered, with rainy, foggy mornings, and sunrises and sunsets that have stopped me in my tracks! while others have complained, i have welcomed with open arms the coolness, for i know what is right around the corner here along the texas gulf coast! humid & hot days ahead!

what a sweet surprise to be invited to join in on the fun of this ‘old fashioned’ blog tour by suzanne! (over at sperlygirl) suzanne is a soulful writer, photographer, and artist, and the mother of two little ‘pirates’….as she so lovingly refers to them. adorable!

so…here goes!

what am i working on?

at present, i’ve been working on this website. a longtime coming, it was way overdue for me to get it up and running so i could further share my artwork. i have also been painting my little heart out, and working on teaching my ‘soulful’ painting workshops locally, and via ‘hosted’ workshops….here, there…& everywhere! (plug…if interested, message me and/or go to my workshop tab on this site!….i am so ready to travel and teach!)

how does my work differ from others of its genre?

my paintings have been healing, calming, and an expression straight from my soul. i believe what i find most rewarding and different when i teach is that i’m not teaching someone to paint like me, i’m teaching and facilitating them to reach within themselves to find their own ‘soulful’ style…unique only to them!

why do I write/create what I do?

i do what i do, because i simply can’t not do it! it’s like breathing to me….it’s such a part of my being that to not write, photograph, or paint would be a huge loss for me. it calms me and gets me to my center like nothing else i’ve ever experienced! i do it, too for a release…something inside needs to be said and shared. i think it’s our nature to create on all levels, in all areas of our lives….from the simplest of daily tasks to painting a mural, to doing homework with our children. it all counts. it’s all creative. it makes the mundane, marvelous.

how does my writing/creating process work?

well, for starters….i allow myself the time. i have to let some things go in order to find the time…but, it’s worth it. i used to think i couldn’t go into my studio until this, this, and this was done. not anymore! once the time is carved out, if it’s painting, then i unwind. meaning, i let go of the outside world by meditating, music, dancing, and sometimes just sitting with my current work until something within me starts to percolate. the beginning of any creative endeavor is my favorite time. there are no expectations, no stepping back and adjusting, or thinking….just wild, free-flowing fun! i’m a no rules kinda girl…and this is an area in my life that i can get away with this kind of thinking and being! once i get to a point of making decisions with a piece, i let my intuition rule. i trust. i try to let my work be a metaphor for my life, knowing it’s all about finding what is pleasing, soothing, and beautiful. i go in and out of my work. there was a time that i’d paint all night, and be able to make up for lost sleep during the day. (all kids grown at this time) now that i am the blessed guardian and protector of my little laynee, who is 6 years old, my schedule is much different! kindergarten is a lot more work than i remember the first time around! i still wake up some mornings around 4, and find a source of inspiration and quiet that feels like a sweet gift in the wee hours before dawn. last, but, not least…i love the process of knowing that it’s in the addition and subtracting from my work that i find a good balance. sometimes i strike it rich on the first go…but, mostly it’s a very humbling experience to find that editing can be a delicate sweet spot in my work…just like life itself!

i’m so happy to introduce y’all to my best friend, and one of the most creative writers, and photographers i’ve ever known, barbara shallue!

i’ve known lexy since she was a little girl! her mom and i are close, dear friends!!!! i’m equally as thrilled to introduce y’all to my longtime, and dear friend Lexy Hinson! Lexy is so inspiring! you have to check her out!

Lexy is a passionate health and fitness powerhouse! She transformed herself one step at a time, and was featured in ‘Health Magazine’ inspiring thousands! She is fascinated by transformation stories! She shed 50lbs through exercise (an avid runner!) and tracking what she ate! Lexy has dedicated herself in the pursuit of helping others transform their lives through health and fitness!

Lexy lives just south of Houston, TX with her husband and two amazing sons!

you can find lexy at her fitness blog … here! try this is the link isn’t working www.lexyhinson.com twitter …. here! pinterest … here!